Stars who morphed their bodies for the movies

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The tabloids went nuts when pictures of Matthew McConaughey looking skeletal started popping up. Is he sick? On drugs? On some sort of downward spiral? Nope. He's changed his look for a role. And he's not alone. Anne Hathaway, Natalie Portman, George Clooney, Christian Bale, Tom Hanks... they've all lost or packed on pounds for a part. It's a lot to ask of your body -- but it's the sort of move that sells a movie ... and it can pay off big when awards season rolls around.

The tabloids went nuts when pictures of Matthew McConaughey looking skeletal started popping up. Is he sick? On drugs? On some sort of downward spiral? Nope. He's changed his look for a role. And he's not alone. Anne Hathaway, Natalie Portman, George Clooney, Christian Bale, Tom Hanks... they've all lost or packed on pounds for a part. It's a lot to ask of your body -- but it's the sort of move that sells a movie ... and it can pay off big when awards season rolls around. (Getty Images)

The tabloids went nuts when pictures of Matthew McConaughey looking skeletal started popping up. Is he sick? On drugs? On some sort of downward spiral? Nope. He's changed his look for a role. And he's not alone. Anne Hathaway, Natalie Portman, George Clooney, Christian Bale, Tom Hanks... they've all lost or packed on pounds for a part. It's a lot to ask of your body -- but it's the sort of move that sells a movie ... and it can pay off big when awards season rolls around.